The State Department has released a map showing the most dangerous countries for US citizens to travel to.
The map lays out the different travel-advisory levels for Americans heading overseas, using a color scale that runs from blue (the lowest concern) through to red, which signals the most serious guidance.
Places marked at the top end are those where the US government advises citizens not to travel, typically because of active conflict or extreme hostility toward the United States.
Russia is one of the most prominent examples, along with Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Iran is also listed in the red category, alongside North Korea.
South Sudan is another Level 4 destination, as the country’s civil war continues and reports suggest at least 10,000 people were massacred in the city of El Fasher.
The State Department says Level 4 is reserved for situations where there is a high risk of ‘terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of US citizens, and wrongful detention’ affecting Americans.
In some cases, the Level 4 warning doesn’t apply to an entire country, but instead targets specific regions deemed especially dangerous.
Mexico is one example: while it is rated Level 2 overall—matching countries such as the UK, France, Spain, and China—some Mexican states including Sinaloa and Colima are categorized as Level 4, with advice to avoid all travel there.
The State Department has said these advisories are intended to help US citizens understand what precautions to take when visiting a particular destination.
So what do the four levels actually mean?
Level 1 is the lowest advisory tier, where travelers are told they can ‘practice usual precautions’. Countries in this category include Canada, Greece, and Japan.
Level 2 raises the concern slightly, advising visitors to ‘exercise increased caution’. Examples include the UK, Brazil, France, and India.
Level 3 is more serious, urging travelers to ‘reconsider travel’. Countries listed at this level include Pakistan, Venezuela, and Israel.
Level 4 is the most severe category, where the State Department advises against all travel.